Preview: Sporting KC II @ Atlanta United 2

USL Championship Regular Season- Matchday 8

Sporting Kansas City II @ Atlanta United 2

Wednesday, June 9, 6:30 p.m. CST

Where: Fifth Third Bank Stadium, Kennesaw, Georgia

How to Watch: ESPN+

Sporting KC II will look to go three games without defeat in their second-ever trip to Georgia, where they will play Atlanta United 2 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on the campus of Kennesaw State University.

Unbeaten from their last two, SKC II enters Wednesday’s matchup in sixth place of the Central Division on six points with a record of 1-3-3.

They are coming off their first win of the year, a promising 4-1 win against FC Tulsa. It was also their first win at Children’s Mercy Park since beating the Birmingham Legion 3-1 on September 30, 2019.

Defender Kaveh Rad was named to the USL Championship Week 7 Team of the Week after scoring his first professional goal last week against Tulsa. Rojay Smith’s first professional goal was sweet, and it has earned a nomination for USL Championship Week 7 Goal of the Week.

That win now puts SKC II at six goals this year with six different goalscorers. They will now look to continue their momentum into Atlanta as they look for their first road win of the year.

Defenders Isaiah LeFlore (right hamstring) and Travian Sousa (right hamstring) are still out. Goalkeeper Remi Prieur (left knee) is still listed as questionable.

In two previous meetings in 2019, SKC II drew 1-1 at home before suffering a 2-1 defeat on the road. Now a Central Division rival, there will be three more meetings later this year when Atlanta hosts SKC II again in July before they visit CMP in August and October.

Atlanta United 2

Atlanta United 2 is managed by former West Ham United midfielder Jack Collison, who assisted the Hammers to Premier League promotion in 2012 alongside former SKC defender Winston Reid. He is in his first year as manager after spending a couple of years with the Atlanta United U-17’s.

They are coming off a 1-0 win over Louisville City FC on Sunday. Aiden McFadden scored the game’s only goal in the 26th minute. Former SKC goalkeeper Alec Kann came up with a huge save from a penalty kick to secure the win in the 81st minute.

Sunday’s win put Atlanta United 2 in second place of the Central Division with 11 points and a 3-2-2 record. A win on Wednesday would put Atlanta into the top spot in the Central Division.

McFadden leads the way for Atlanta with five goals this year. He is followed by Tyler Wolff, son of Sporting Legend Josh Wolff, who has two goals in five appearances.

Predicted Starting XI

The dream would be for SKC II to run out the same lineup that has played the last two matches. With the first team returning to action on Saturday, that may not be an option.

Final Prediction

Atlanta are one of the top teams in the division, but SKC II are trying to dig themselves out of a hole and have a point to prove.

I think SKC II stays hot and goes three unbeaten with a 2-2 tie in Atlanta.